Irrigation devices adapted to be used with a light source for the identification and treatment of bodily passages

Abstract

Devices and methods of identifying and treating bodily passages, such as sinus cavities, are provided. More particularly, irrigation devices and methods useful in the identification and treatment of bodily passages, such as sinus cavities, are provided. The irrigation devices comprise an elongate tubular member and an optical fiber which assist with the transcutaneous identification and/or treatment of a bodily passage.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An irrigation device adapted to be used with a light source for the identification and treatment of a bodily passage, the irrigation device comprising:
 an elongate tubular member having a lengthwise axis and comprising a circumferential wall, a first proximal end, and a first distal end, the circumferential wall defining a first lumen extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end and a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures extending through the circumferential wall and providing access to the first lumen; and 
 an optical fiber disposed in the first lumen of the elongate tubular member and comprising a second proximal end adapted to be operatively connected to said light source and a second distal end attached to the circumferential wall of the elongate tubular member at a point between the plurality of apertures and the distal end relative to the lengthwise axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tubular member defines a curve along the lengthwise axis;
 wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is defined by the circumferential wall at a point between the curve and the first distal end. 
 
     
     
       3. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter disposed on the first proximal end of the elongate tubular member, the adapter comprising third proximal and distal ends, a fourth proximal end, and defining second and third lumens, the third distal end of the adapter connected to the first proximal end of the elongate tubular member, the second lumen extending between the third proximal end and the third distal end, and the third lumen in communication with the second lumen and extending between the fourth proximal end and the second lumen. 
     
     
       4. The irrigation device of  claim 3 , wherein the third distal end of the adapter is rotatably connected to the first proximal end of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       5. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second distal end of the optical fiber is disposed distal to the first distal end of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       6. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second distal end of the optical fiber is disposed proximal to the first distal end of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       7. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein at least three apertures of the plurality of apertures are disposed circumferentially about the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       8. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein at least three apertures of the plurality of apertures are disposed on the circumferential wall in a linear configuration. 
     
     
       9. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein at least three apertures of the plurality of apertures are disposed on the circumferential wall in a staggered configuration. 
     
     
       10. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein at least two apertures of the plurality of apertures have different diameters. 
     
     
       11. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a soft distal tip formed of a flexible material disposed on the first distal end of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       12. The irrigation device of  claim 1 , wherein the first distal end of the elongate tubular member forms a loop. 
     
     
       13. An irrigation device adapted to be used with a light source for the identification and treatment of a bodily passage, the irrigation device comprising:
 an elongate tubular member having a lengthwise axis and comprising a circumferential wall, a first proximal end, and a first distal end, the elongate tubular member defining a curve along the lengthwise axis, the circumferential wall defining a first lumen extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end and a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures extending through the circumferential wall and providing access to the first lumen; and 
 an optical fiber disposed in the first lumen of the elongate tubular member and comprising a second proximal end adapted to be operatively connected to said light source and a second distal end attached to the circumferential wall of the elongate tubular member at a point between the plurality of apertures and the distal end relative to the lengthwise axis. 
 
     
     
       14. The irrigation device of  claim 13 , further comprising an adapter disposed on the first proximal end of the elongate tubular member, the adapter comprising third proximal and distal ends, a fourth proximal end, and defining second and third lumens, the third distal end of the adapter connected to the first proximal end of the elongate tubular member, the second lumen extending between the third proximal end and the third distal end, and the third lumen in communication with the second lumen and extending between the fourth proximal end and the second lumen. 
     
     
       15. The irrigation device of  claim 14 , wherein the third distal end of the adapter is rotatably connected to the first proximal end of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       16. The irrigation device of  claim 13 , further comprising a soft distal tip formed of a flexible material disposed on the first distal end of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
       17. An irrigation device adapted to be used with a light source for the identification and treatment of a bodily passage, the irrigation device comprising:
 an elongate tubular member having a lengthwise axis and comprising a circumferential wall, a first proximal end, and a first distal end, the elongate tubular member defining a curve along the lengthwise axis, the circumferential wall defining a first lumen extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end and a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures extending through the circumferential wall and providing access to the first lumen; 
 an optical fiber disposed in the first lumen of the elongate tubular member and comprising a second proximal end adapted to be operatively connected to said light source and a second distal end attached to the circumferential wall of the elongate tubular member at a point between the plurality of apertures and the distal end relative to the lengthwise axis; and 
 wherein at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures is defined by the circumferential wall at a point between the curve and the first distal end.